Spot cleaning dispenser

ABSTRACT

The spot cleaning dispenser is a roll-on applicator bottle and a snap on brush attachment. The roll-on applicator bottle is a generally cylindrical container with a roll-on ball applicator at the top. The brush attachment consists of a cylindrical cap and bristles mounted in the top outer surface. The brush attachment freely mounts over the top of the applicator bottle and snaps in a secure position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/945,921, filed Jun. 24, 2007 by the present inventors.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to devices for the packaging and dispensing of a liquid cleaning solution. More particularly, the present invention relates to dispensing of a cleaning solution for cleaning carpet, rugs, upholstery, fabric or the like.

2. Prior Art

Relevant prior art includes:

U.S. Pat. No. 2,196,379 September 1940 Bender

U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,549 June 1966 Evesque

U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,171 September 1989 Rocheleau

U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,990 October 1996 McAuley

U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,846 December 1997 Schwarzberg

U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,785 September 1998 Baudin

U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,340 November 2001 Thompson

U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,674 December 2000 Humphreys

U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,740 May 2001 Stear

U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,084 October 2004 Horn et. al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,297 October 2005 Dobbs et. al.

The prior art does not provide for an efficient device for removing stains from fabric, carpet, upholstery or rug or the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a roll-on applicator bottle of liquid such as a cleaning solution for the spot or area cleaning of an article such as fabric, carpet, upholstery or rug or the like. The bottle includes a scrubbing brush on top of the bottle cap for use on tough stains or soft fabrics. The spot cleaning dispenser will work on any type of carpet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of the roll-on applicator bottle and brush cap of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the roll-on applicator bottle of FIG. 1 with the brush cap attachment of this present invention mounted thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there is shown a roll-on applicator bottle 10 and a snap on brush attachment 20. The roll-on applicator bottle 10 is a generally cylindrical container 12 with a roll-on ball applicator 14 at the top. The brush attachment 20 consists of a cylindrical cap 22 and bristles 24 mounted in the top outer surface. The brush attachment 20 freely mounts over the top of the applicator bottle 10 and snaps in a secure position.

In more detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the brush attachment 20 is removed from the applicator bottle 10 for applying the liquid cleaning solution. The applicator bottle 10 is held upside down and the roll-on applicator ball 14 is placed in contact with the fibrous surface and rolled over the area to be cleaned. The rotation of the ball 14 by contacting the fabric allows the surface portion of the ball, which is wetted by the liquid cleaning solution, to transfer the liquid cleaning solution from the dispenser to the stained fabric.

If needed for difficult stains, the brush attachment 20 is used to work the liquid cleaning solution into the carpet and scrub the stain. The brush attachment 20 can be used stand alone or it may be used attached to the applicator bottle 10.

In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the cylindrical, self-standing roll-on applicator 10 bottle measures approximately 5 inches high and 2 inches in diameter at the base. The mouth of the bottle measures approximately 1 inch in diameter. The roll-on applicator 14 is spherical in shape and measures approximately 1 inch in diameter and encloses the mouth of the dispenser bottle 10.

The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are that the entire device and brush attachment 20 therein can be constructed of plastic material, but they of course can be made from any sufficiently rigid material.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, are a simple and efficient yet highly effective applicator of liquid such as a cleaning solution for the spot or area cleaning of an article such as fabric, carpet or rug or the like which eliminates the need for handling the cleaning solution with a brush or cloth to effect spot or area cleaning. The operator's hands never contact the cleaning solution thereby avoiding the need for wearing cleaning gloves or the like. There is no messy clean up, since the cleaning solution is inside the bottle and the roll-on ball applicator 14 limits the flow of cleaning solution to the fabric, carpet or rug or the like.

In another version of the present invention, the dispenser bottle 10 is refillable. A small hole is placed in the bottom center on the floor of the bottle and is sealed by a snap in or screw plug. The plug is easily removable to refill the dispenser bottle with cleaning solution, but snug enough to prevent cleaning solution from leaking out of the dispenser bottle 10.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a roll-on applicator of any shape used to apply liquid cleaning solution to carpets, rugs and the like. Likewise, in broad embodiment, the invention is not limited to a ball roll-on type applicator, the applicator that is placed in contact with the spot or area to be cleaned may be of any shape or material. For example, other applicators may be a sponge applicator, a nozzle applicator or the like. Also, in broad embodiment, the snap on attachment at the top of the dispenser bottle is not limited to a scrubber bush. The snap on attachment at the top of the dispenser bottle can be any type of cleaning tool.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 

1. A liquid dispenser device, comprising: a container for storing a liquid having a top and a bottom; a means for dispersing the said liquid to the exterior of said container; a removable brush cover attached to the top of the container; and said means for dispersing liquid including a rotating sphere projecting outwardly from the said container.
 2. A liquid dispenser device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is of a sufficiently rigid material.
 3. A liquid dispenser device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container includes a means to refill said container.
 4. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for dispersing liquid is aided by the rotation of the sphere.
 5. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cleaning device comprises a rotating sphere or ball on top of the bottle containing the fabric cleaning solution.
 6. A liquid dispenser device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container includes an attachment means for attaching said removable brush to top end of said container.
 7. A liquid dispenser device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said liquid is a fabric cleaning solution.
 8. A method of removing stains from a stained fabric comprising the steps of: 1) inverting the liquid dispensing device and rolling the said device over the stained area to sufficiently disperse the cleaning liquid; and 2) repeating as necessary; and 3) optionally, concurrently or consecutively with Step 2, contacting the stained area with a mechanical action by means of a removable brush such that the stained area is reduced.
 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said container is of a sufficiently rigid material.
 10. The method according to claim 8 wherein said container includes a means to refill said container.
 11. The method according to claim 8 wherein said means for dispersing liquid is aided by the rotation of the sphere.
 12. The method according to claim 8 wherein said container includes an attachment means for attaching said removable brush to top end of said container.
 13. The method according to claim 8 wherein said liquid is a fabric cleaning solution.
 14. The method according to claim 8 wherein said cleaning device comprises a rotating sphere or ball on top of the bottle containing the fabric cleaning solution.
 15. A liquid dispenser device for applying cleaning solution to a fibrous material such as fabric, upholstery, carpet, rug, from a container of liquid, compromising a dispenser bottle, a roll-on ball applicator mounted on said dispenser bottle, and said attachment brush for rubbing the liquid solution into the fibrous material during the cleaning operation.
 16. A liquid dispenser device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said container is of a sufficiently rigid material.
 17. A liquid dispenser device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said container includes a means to refill said container.
 18. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means for dispersing liquid is aided by the rotation of the sphere.
 19. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 15 wherein said cleaning device comprises a rotating sphere or ball on top of the bottle containing the fabric cleaning solution.
 20. A liquid dispenser device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said container includes an attachment means for attaching said removable brush to top end of said container. 